On a weekly basis, I find myself chatting with someone who wants me to help them find a way to differentiate their business from their competitors. That’s a good thing, but it really isn’t what they’re really after. The reality is that these folks want me to suggest a thing or two about the products […]

So far this year, I’ve made a couple of trips to Helena, testifying on bills for the first half of the legislative session. Every Montanan should make the effort to visit the Capitol during the session, even testify on a bill. You are guaranteed to learn something about how our government runs – notice I […]

Judging by their remarks on the recently passed federal stimulus plan, it’s hard to believe Rep. Denny Rehberg, Republican, and Sen. Jon Tester, Democrat, voted on the same piece of legislation, are in the same profession or work in the same city for that matter. The two men, in separate interviews at the Beacon last […]

During President Franklin Roosevelt’s first term he and his economic policy assistants were busily developing “economic stimulus” efforts to cope with the devastating effects of The Great Depression. Then too, as now, the public had varying opinions about the president’s proposals. Those differences echoed not only across the nation but even within the Oval Office. […]

While a fair portion of the media (and yeah, I get the irony of saying that) seems intent on talking about nothing but bad economic news, there are good things happening out there as well and they deserve equal time. For example, I’ve been encouraged to see the Beacon spending more time covering stories about […]

The much lauded and criticized federal stimulus plan has now passed. Montana’s U.S. lawmakers are back on the trail to defend their votes one way or another. The bill will either “bloat the federal government” or “create millions of good-paying jobs” – depending on who’s talking. What exactly is in the plan is still not […]

Most people find it hard to believe that we have not always elected our U.S. Senators, but prior to the approval of the 17th Amendment in 1913 Senators were appointed by state legislatures, and Montana was important in bringing about that change.
 Copper King W.A. Clark literally bought a seat in the U.S. Senate in […]

With all the talk about layoffs and shutdowns in the valley, you have to wonder where the new businesses are going to pop up. These folks have to go somewhere. Many can’t afford to wait for the economy to turn. More on that shortly. I’ve always been amazed that a large company can lay off […]

Last column, I suggested folks need to start paying attention to the fundamentals of our economy. Last week, the Highwood Generating Station coal plant proposal was dropped by Southern Montana Electric. They’re now going for wind towers, and a natural gas boiler that will provide “timing power” to back the “inconsistent” wind power. And just […]

Partisanship is trickling downward: from the federal stimulus plan; to the race for Montana’s lone U.S. House seat; to the timeline and makeup of the state budget. The political creed – advanced by President Barack Obama – that elected officials would compromise for the good of the country, economy and its constituents’ respective psyches lasted […]

We believe it’s important for Montana to move forward in the responsible development of our natural resources. To do that, we need to drastically improve our appeal process after a permit has been granted. In its current form, the never-ending appeal process sends the strong message that Montana is closed for business. That’s not what […]

English really is my native tongue. So what do I mean about moving furniture? Moving furniture = getting things done. Everyone wants to get more done – or maybe get the same amount of stuff done in less time. Clients ask me about this all the time, but they don’t talk about end tables. Normally, […]

During this recession I have most often received two complaints that generally contradict each other: That the media is portraying the economy as worse than it actually is, or that we are too optimistic about what is happening locally. Both views are warranted. The economic health of Northwest Montana is something that no one, especially […]

Here we are looking to a new year with a combination of hope and fear. Hope that real change can move us in a positive direction, and yet some fear that past transgressions may be difficult to overcome. Here at the Museum at Central School in Kalispell we’re in pretty decent shape, considering the circumstances, […]

That is, I’m stimulated by H.R. 1, the warmly and fuzzily named “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009”, which doesn’t appear to impress the Wall Street Journal. At first glance, my thought was that if Phyllis Diller was a House bill, she’d be H.R. 1 (For those who don’t know Ms. Diller, she’s had […]